Academic Building (B3)-Room 227
Department of Biosystems Technology
Faculty of Technology
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Mahenwatte, Pitipana North
Homagama 10200
Sri Lanka

Email: danushi@sjp.ac.lk

Dr. Danushika Mantunga is a Nanobiotechnologist, received her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Chemical Biology (2012) from University of Colombo, her Ph.D., in Nanomedicine from the same university under the supervision of Prof. Rohini M de Silva and Prof. Nalin de Silva. In 2018, Dr. Danushika started her Post-doctoral research work in the CAMD research laboratory of the Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo after receiving a grant from National Research Council of Sri Lanka. After completing her Post-doctoral research she joined the Department of Biosystems Technology in the year of 2020 where she is currently working as a Senior lecturer

Research Keywords: Nanomedicine, Inorganic nanomaterials, water purification, nanotextiles, nanocosmetics

 

Other Activities: Singing, Artwork (Paper quilling), Baking

Since 2020
Member of the Quality Assurance Cell of the Faculty of Technology University of Sri Jayewardenepura

2021-2022
Coordinator (Industrial Biosystems Technology (IBST) Focus Area), Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Since 2017-2018
Consultant for Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC)

Since 2013-2014
Research Scientist at SLINTEC

• Since 2021
  Life member of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS- Reg 11402/E2)
• Since 2020
  Senior lecturer Gr II, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
• Since 2020
  Member of Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists (SLAYS)
  Life member for Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD)
• 2020
  Merit Awards for the Scientific Publications
• 2019
  Merit Awards for the Scientific Publications
• 2018
  Presidential Awards for the Scientific Publications

• Electrospinning of nanofibers for smart fabric development and cancer prevention
• Electrospinning of nanofibers for air, pathogen removal and to develop biosensors
• Development of nanomaterials for transdermal drug delivery
• Development of nanomaterials for cosmetic application
• Preparation of microcapsules for natural anti-cancer drug delivery and smart fabric development
• Anticancer drug delivery via magnetic hydroxyapatite composite nanoparticles

Textile material and process for obtaining the same- KSM Udayakantha, DC Manatunga, KMN de Silva, GAJ Amaratunga (US Patent:US10508386B2)

2022- 2024

Serve as PI on University of Sri Jayewardenepura Research Council funded project entitled “Development of smart sensor materials for the rapid and real-time monitoring of pH and fungal infections in ocular applications”, LKR 3M, Project Duration: 2 Years

Serve as Co-PI on University of Sri Jayewardenepura Research Council funded project entitled “Determination of the effect of Emblica officinalis seed and Annona muricata L. fruit peel and seed extract in increasing the shelf life of food”, LKR 3M, Project Duration: 2 Years

Serve as Co-PI on University of Sri Jayewardenepura Research Council funded project entitled “Development of Nitrogen Enriched-Pest Repellent Liquid Organic Fertilizer using Plant and Animal Waste Materials in Sri Lanka”, LKR 3M, Project Duration: 2 Years

Serve as Co-PI on University of Sri Jayewardenepura Research Council funded project entitled “Biochemical characterization and mechanism of action of the newly isolated anti-diabetic carotenoid (fucoxanthin derivative) from Sri Lankan Brown alga; Chnoospora minim”, LKR 3M, Project Duration: 2 Years

Since 2021

Industrial Project involvement with Rivoga Pvt Ltd to for value addition of byproducts generated during their main production as well as on implementing a treatment protocol for the waste generated during the manufacturing process

Since 2018

Working as a Research Collaborator with CAMD research laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Colombo on the development of electrospun nanofibers for biomedical applications

2018-2020

Served as a Post-doctoral research fellow on a NRC funded research grant titled “Transdermal drug delivery via smart textiles: Development of new formulations for the controlled release of natural compounds to prevent cancer (LKR 4.9 million, NRC 18-013)

 Peramune, D., Manatunga, D.C., Dassanayake, R.S., Premalal, V., Liyanage, R.N., Gunathilake, C., Abidi, N., (2022). Recent advances in biopolymer-based advanced oxidation processes for dye removal applications: A review. Environmental Research (in Press). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.114242

Peramune, D., Manatunga, D.C., Dassanayake, R.S., Premalal, V., Liyanage, R.N. (2022). Polysaccharides-based Manganese Dioxide Composites for Dye Removal. Academia Letters, Article 4634. https://doi.org/10.20935/AL4634

Manatunga, D. C., Godakanda, V. U., Herath H.M.L.P.B, de Silva Rohini M., Yeh. Chen-Yu, Chen Jiann-Yeu, De Silva A.A. Akshitha, Rajapaksha S., Nilmini Renuka, de Silva K. M. Nalin, (2020). Nanofibrous cosmetic face mask for transdermal delivery of nano gold: Green synthesis, characterization, release and Zebra fish embryo employed toxicity studies, Royal Society Open Science, 7: 201266. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.201266 (I.F. 2.515)

Manatunga, D. C., Godakanda, V. U., de Silva, R. M., & de Silva, K. M. N. (2020). Recent developments in the use of organic–inorganic nanohybrids for drug delivery. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology, (September), 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1002/wnan.1605 (I.F. 9.182)

 Danthanarayana, A. N., Manatunga, D. C., De Silva, R. M., Chandrasekharan, N. V., & De Silva, K. M. N. (2018). Magnetofection and isolation of DNA using polyethyleneimine functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Royal Society Open Science, 5(12). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181369 (I.F. 2.515)

 Manatunga, D. C., de Silva, R. M., de Silva, K. M. N., Wijeratne, D. T., Malavige, G. N., & Williams, G. (2018). Fabrication of 6-gingerol, doxorubicin and alginate hydroxyapatite into a bio-compatible formulation: Enhanced anti-proliferative effect on breast and liver cancer cells. Chemistry Central Journal, 12(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-018-0482-6 (I.F. 2.094)

 Manatunga, D. C., de Silva, R. M., & de Silva, K. M. N. (2018). The state of nanomedicine in Sri Lanka: challenges and opportunities. Journal of Interdisciplinary Nanomedicine, 3(2), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1002/jin2.38 (a new journal)

 Manatunga, D. C., de Silva, R. M., Nalin de Silva, K. M., Neelika Malavige, G., Wijeratne, D. T., Williams, G. R., … Udagama, P. V. (2018). Effective delivery of hydrophobic drugs to breast (MCF-7) and Liver (HepG2) cancer cells: A detailed investigation using Cytotoxicity assays, fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 128, 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2018.04.001 (I.F. 5.571)

 Manatunga, D. C., Silva, R. M. De, Silva, K. M. N. De, Silva, N. De, & Premalal, E. V. A. (2018). Metal and polymer-mediated synthesis of porous crystalline hydroxyapatite nanocomposites for environmental remediation. Royal Society Open Science, 5(171557), 1–15. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.171557 (I.F. 2.515)

Manatunga, D. C., de Silva, R. M., de Silva, K. M. N., de Silva, N., Bhandari, S., Yap, Y. K., & Costha, N. P. (2017). pH responsive controlled release of anti-cancer hydrophobic drugs from sodium alginate and hydroxyapatite bi-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 117, 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.03.014 (I.F. 5.571)

 Manatunga, D. C., de Silva, R. M., de Silva, K. M. N., & Ratnaweera, R. (2016). Natural polysaccharides leading to super adsorbent hydroxyapatite nanoparticles for the removal of heavy metals and dyes from aqueous solutions. RSC Adv., 6(107), 105618–105630. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA22662K (I.F. 3.361)

Manatunga, Danushika Charyangi, De Silva, R. M., & De Silva, K. M. N. (2016). Double layer approach to create durable superhydrophobicity on cotton fabric using nano silica and auxiliary non fluorinated materials. Applied Surface Science, 360(November 2015), 777–788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.11.068 (I.F. 6.707)

 

Book Chapters

Manatunga, D.C., Dassanayake, R. S., Nilmini Renuka, (2021). Novel Acumens into Biodegradation: Impact of Nanomaterials and their contribution, Biodegradation (ISBN 978-1-83968-896-6), IntechOpen (DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.98771).

 

Research Communications

“Preparation, characterization, and In-vitro Releasing of Microcapsules loaded with Bridelia Retusa Aqueous Bark Extract for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthriti”- PCR Peiris, BAUN Wijayawickrema, BLC Samanmali and DC Manatunga, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University 14th International Research Conference, 9-10th September, 2021.

“Tea Extract Formulated Gold Nano Fiber Facial Mask from PEO Gelatin Polymer Blend”- Danushika Manatunga, K. M. Nalin de Silva, Rohini de Silva, 6th International Conference on Nano Science and Nanotechnology 2019 (ICNSNT 2019), 12-13th December, 2019.

“Development of Doxorubicin, Curcumin Co-Loaded Hydroxyapatite Based Drug Carrier for The Treatment of Cancer”- Danushika Manatunga, Rohini de Silva, Dulharie Wijeratne, K. M. Nalin de Silva, Neelika Malavige, 4th International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology- ICNST, 14th -15th December, 2017.

Development of Doxorubicin, 6-gingerol co-loaded hydroxyapatite based drug carrier for pH sensitive drug release, Danushika Manatunga, Rohini de Silva, K. M. Nalin de Silva, International Conference on Drug Discovery & Development (ICDDD 2017), 12-13th September, 2017 (Won overall best student presenter award)

Use of hydroxyapatite coated iron oxide nanoparticles (HAp/IONPS) for the purpose of anti-cancer drug delivery to breast cancer cells”- Danushika Manatunga, Rohini de Silva, Dulharie Wijeratne, K. M. Nalin de Silva, Neelika Malavige, 3rd International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology- ICNST, 15-16th December, 2016 (Won the best session presenter award and overall best student presenter award).

“Magnetic hydroxyapatite nanocomposite as a drug carrier”- Danushika Manatunga, Rohini de Silva, K. M. Nalin de Silva, Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Conference – 2016 (iSciTech-2016) “Frontiers in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 25-27th April, 2016.

“Facile synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles with different morphologies”- Danushika Manatunga, Rohini de Silva, K. M. Nalin de Silva, 5th International Research Symposium on Engineering Advancement (SAITM), 2015, ISBN 978-955-0638-04-8.

“Facile synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles with different morphologies for the purpose of drug delivery”- Danushika Manatunga, Rohini. M. de Silva, K. M. Nalin de Silva, 2nd Edition Nanotech Dubai, International Conference and Exhibition, 2015.

“Facile synthesis and characterization of natural polysaccharide hydroxyapatite nanobiocomposite” – Danushika Manatunga, Rohini M. de Silva, K. M. Nalin de Silva, G. A. J. Amaratunga, Advanced Materials World Congress 2015, Sweden. DOI: 10.5185/amwc.2015.3438.

“Facile synthesis of hydroxyapatite/ iron oxide nanocomposite to be used as a drug carrier” – Danushika Manatunga, Rohini M de Silva, K. M. Nalin de Silva, TIIKM’s 2nd Annual International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2015, ISBN: 978-955-4903-32-6 (Won the best student presenter award).

“Comparative study on the use of different non- fluorinated hydrophobization agents to create increased hydrophobicity on cotton fabrics” – Danushika Manatunga, K. M. Nalin de Silva, International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology / ICNSNT 2014 Sri Lanka, 2014.

“Synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with polyethyleneimine for DNA binding and gene delivery”- Danushika Manatunga, Rohini de Silva, K. M. Nalin de Silva, The First National Nanotechnology Conference organized by National Science Foundation (NSF) of Sri Lanka, 2012.